Vehicle Overview

The Mazda3 has been a sporty alternative for compact-car buyers since it debuted for the 2004 model year. It undergoes its first redesign for the 2010 model year and is still offered in sedan and four-door hatchback forms. The 2010 Mazda3 has all-new exterior and interior styling and is now available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that offers more power than the four-cylinder it replaces. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra.

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    Under the Hood
    Tribute buyers get the choice of two engines, a 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder or a 200-hp, 3.0-liter V-6. The base Tribute comes with a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automati ...

    Brake/Clutch Fluid
    qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the same reservoir. Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir regularly. It should be kept at MAX. The level normally d ...

    How the Air BagsWork
    How the Front Air BagsWork When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an electrical current is sent to the inflators. Gases are produced to inflate the fro ...